WBD Sports Announces Historic First for Downhill as Elite Women Will Race Last at the Leogang World Cup

WBD Sports has confirmed a significant shift for the upcoming UCI Downhill World Cup in Leogang, announcing that the Elite Women will now be the final category to race. This marks a historic first for the discipline, traditionally seeing Elite Men conclude proceedings. The decision, effective immediately for the Leogang event, aims to elevate the visibility and prestige of women's racing within the downhill circuit, placing their competition in the prime broadcast slot.

This move is a direct response to persistent calls from riders, fans, and advocates for greater equity in cycling, particularly within gravity disciplines where women's racing has often been relegated to earlier slots. Coming off a season where women's downhill has seen incredible talent and tight competition, such as Marine Cabirou's dominant start, this scheduling change offers a much-needed platform. It reflects a broader industry trend towards recognizing and investing in women's sports, aligning with similar efforts seen in road cycling and other action sports.

It's a welcome, if long overdue, adjustment. One might even suggest that showcasing the fastest riders last, regardless of gender, was always the logical conclusion.